Going into the 2015/16 season

News of a change in management continues to fill the airwaves as I write. There are widespread reports of former Bayern Munich and Black Stars defender, Samuel Osei Kuffour being given the nod to lead Kotoko.

These reports, as I write are yet to be confirmed officially. Knowing how Kotoko Express and Asantekotokosc.com operate, the two Kotoko media outfits will come out on these reports only when there is formal communication from management, the Board and most importantly, the Manhyia Palace, which is the appointing authority when it comes to deciding who leads our great club.

Until that is done, I admonish Kotoko supporters to be patient and wait for proper confirmation. Having said that, it is fair to admit that, given the extensive reports about the imminent change of leadership at the club, it is safe to argue that, unless there are dramatic turn of events, Kotoko will go into the 2015/16 season with a new administration in office.

How we got here, I mean how the imminent leadership changes came about isn’t something I can explain easily except to say that, not many of us have been happy about the way the club has been administered in recent years. It is important to point out that, on the domestic scene, Kotoko have been impressive in recent years but not on the African stage which matters most.

That hasn’t come as a surprise. It hasn’t come as a surprise to me not because I have expected it but because, looking at things from a realistic viewpoint, it would always be easy to perform well on the local front but fail big time on the international stage simply because as a club we have not been adequately prepared for what happens on the continental stage.

The problem hasn’t exactly been with the players or coaches but with the kind of structures put in place to perform well on the big stage. That is why change has become necessary at this time. Change not necessarily in the personalities running the club but precisely with our approach and methods used in administering the club we so much love.

I will neither use this chance to slam anybody nor will I point accusing fingers at anyone. However, the fact remains that, Kotoko deserve far more than it has been given in terms of managerial structures; plans or policy direction. This a club with huge potential. This is the club that has the most loyal and biggest group of supporters in the country.

Sadly, the aspirations of these supporters have not been realized simply because, despite Kotoko’s huge potential, the club has lacked the administrative impetus to initiate a constructive, achievable development plan, which is what a club of this stature requires to be both on the domestic and international fronts.

Going into the 2015/16 season, the much talked about change may well be first, in the area of the personalities in leadership but I dare add that, regardless of the advantages the change of personalities may come with, that in itself will not necessarily guarantee Kotoko’s success. 

The change in leadership must come with a proper definition of what we want Kotoko to achieve within a certain timeframe. I call that vision or a development agenda. Thus the new managers of Kotoko must have a well-spelt out vision or an explicit agenda, which must inform the kind of administrative structure they put in place or work with.

I would want to see Kotoko setup its secretariat well with vital offices such as that of Chief Executive Officer (CEO); Administrative, Marketing, Media, Finance, Youth Development, Projects, etc. with the core objective of developing the club along a recognizable path. A path which is similar to what we see elsewhere and that which is easy to point people to.

Therefore, going into the 2015/16 season, the administration or indeed the running of Kotoko shouldn’t be narrowed down to what pertains at the club’s base and Ghana for that reason. We must think globally. We must think big and plan effectively and execute our plans with precision; believing that, no matter any obstacles, Kotoko will bounce back in bright colours.